A 12-YEAR-OLD girl will defy all the odds once again today when she competes in the British Transplant Games.

Jade Carr, of Runcorn, was born with a terminal heart condition and at the age of just three her parents were told she needed a transplant to survive.

The tot spent about six months on the donor list until the news that a replacement heart had been found was received in February 1997.

Jade's mum Lynne recalled: 'I remember the day we got the news of the donor through.

'We were so pleased but worried because we knew we didn't have much time to get to the hospital.'

Jade was taken to Harefield hospital in Middlesex by a police helicopter and spent seven hours under the knife.

Since then she has been living a normal life.

Today will see Jade take part in her ninth transplant games. The games, in their 28th year, attract more than 400 competitors and will be held at Lough-borough University until Sunday.

Lynn, 43, said: 'The games are fantastic for Jade and everyone involved.

'It shows she has come a long way since her operation. Jade lives as normal a life as possible. She is very active and does as much as she can.'

Jade has amassed 13 medals at the games and this year will be competing in the 100m sprint, long jump, ball throw, table tennis and badminton.

Jade said: 'I'm really looking forward to the games and meeting up with all my friends who have been through the same things I have been through.'

Lynn added: 'It means so much to us to see Jade doing so well and we hope people will see what a difference this has made and think about getting a donor card.'